JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Starbucks workers across the country, including in Jacksonville, went on strike during one of the biggest days for the company; red cup day. During red cup day, Starbucks will give customers a free re-usable red cup with a purchase of a holiday beverage. Union members at the Mandarin location on San Jose Boulevard described the day as a nightmare. Mason Boykin, the union's lead coordinator, said they're understaffed and depending on the manager working - underprepared.
Thursday morning, according to Starbucks' website, the Mandarin location's hours were 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. Employees showed up at 5:30, but the front doors were still locked. First Coast News learned they were still serving customers from the drive-thru only. Union members showed up around 7:30AM to demonstrate and picket. Boykin told First Coast News the employees who were inside their store working were from different Starbucks locations.
Union members said this is their second year going on strike during Red Cup Day. The location also closed a day early. Wednesday, there was a sign taped to the front door that read union members haven't heard from Starbucks for more than 550 days.
"Ultimately, I just wanna talk. I just wanna get a contract," Boykin said. "We're fighting for more consistent, better scheduling and staffing on the floors."
Starbucks offices said they offered multiple contract negotiation dates for each unionized store in Jacksonville, but the union didn't agree to meet. However, Boykin argued Starbucks stopped communicating with the Union and the multiple negotiation dates were rushed.